Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My statement today is in regard to the spending of this government and also previous governments, keeping in mind the deficit in which we found ourselves. We have taken drastic measures to recoup and finally get out of. It has taken a lot of tough decisions and a lot of cuts, especially in the smaller communities, in the delivery of programs and services. I think we have to keep in mind how we ended up in that situation, especially in light of expenditures of the previous governments and the deficit which we came into this government.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in regard to a question that has been on my mind and questions that I have raised in this House in regard to expenditures of the government in putting ourselves in a position of making long-term commitments and not having the adequate resources in the future to pay for these commitments. I speak, Mr. Speaker, in regard to the regional superintendents having the ability to sign long-term agreements in way of leases and also with regard to how these lease arrangements are made. Yesterday, we heard from the Minister, he made a comment that the regional superintendent made a verbal agreement in August, that a letter of understanding was signed in August and the lease was in place in September. That is fast work in regard to how an individual was able to acquire a written lease within two months, with this government with no review whatsoever on the expenditure of this government and the long-term financial commitments we are making for the new governments in the west and the east after division.

Mr. Speaker, I believe, we have a Financial Administration Act which was supposed to control those types of expenditures and a regime put in place to ensure that adequate spending is done so we do not find ourselves back in the situation we were when we got here in regard to the deficit. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I would like to recognize my old ski coach, Ms. Pat Thomas, up there in the gallery, who is there every day of the week and I would like to thank Pat for her commitment and having the patience for sitting here, day in and day out. Thank you, Pat.

--Applause

We should also recognize the patience, diligence and perseverance of Mr. Ben McDonald from the UNW, Mr. Speaker.

--Applause

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, all teachers do important work with our young people and deserve recognition. The government recognizes dedication to service with certificates after five, ten, fifteen years and so on. The Member is suggesting that there be a recognition program outside of that. There may be room for the DEA or the divisional education council to consider their own recognition program. Mr. Speaker, I would be prepared to work with the Member to perhaps cooperatively send a letter to the teachers he has mentioned in his statement thanking them for their service. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My question is directed to the Premier and it is in regard to the proposed merger of the Royal Bank and the Bank of Montreal. I copied the Premier on a letter I sent to the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew outlining the concerns that may effect all northerners, such as there should be no closure of either the Royal Bank or the Bank of Montreal in communities where there is only one bank. We have to be concerned about the impact on communities where, in fact, there are two existing banks and the concern about any increase in the service costs

and charges to northerners. Would the Premier commit to writing to the Prime Minister to pass on our concerns early, so he is aware, as a special committee undertakes review of the concerns of northerners, that we want to make sure that there is not a negative impact? Thank you.